Lydia gained her A Level in English Language after a gap of 20 years, more driven and eager to succeed.
I came to ICS Learn to get another chance at what I’d missed as a teenager. When I was at school doing A Levels I became very ill and had to drop out and go into hospital.
It took me years to get anywhere near well enough to return to studying, but I eventually went back to college and did an Access course that enabled me to go to university and study Youth Work.
Whilst I was doing my degree, I worked in a pupil referral unit and came across a lot of young people struggling in education, which inspired me become an English teacher.
However, as my degree was not in English, I needed at least a B at A Level to prove I had the subject knowledge. As I also had to gain experience of working in a school, I decided that I would work as a teaching assistant for a year, and study in my spare time.
This is where ICS Learn worked perfectly for me, as I could fit my studies around my job.
Being able to study on my own and at my own pace was ideal, but also knowing that I could always contact my tutor whenever needed, was the icing on top of the cake.
I found the online classes to be really helpful, as well as the module assessments that were designed around the exam questions.
My tutor was really great and always gave me very specific feedback, which meant I was always aware of what I had to do to do well.
I also found the study schedules ICS Learn provided to be really helpful, as I always knew I was on track for finishing on time.
When it came to taking the exam, I was very nervous as I hadn’t done sat any exams since my GCSE's, which was decades ago.
However, I felt well-prepared, and probably in a better position than I was as a teenager.
I think doing these qualifications as an adult does allow for an advantage, as you’re much more focused and can see more clearly where passing will take you.
I eventually got an A* (I believe I was one of only 2.4% of students this year who got one) and will be starting my teacher training in September.
I feel a lot more confident going into the course now, and it really is an incredible feeling to finally have an A Level, 20 years after dropping out.
I would definitely study with ICS Learn again and I'm considering taking the English Literature A Level with them in future.
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